TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Your eyes and a good basic textbook on error coins are all that is necessary for you to get started in recognizing major error types like off metals, off centers and clips. However, these are most often quickly found by counting room operations and rarely filter down to the man on the street. Most of the errors and varieties that are out there hiding in your pocket change, and which are the main focus of this book, are microscopic in nature. They will require some magnification.

There are a few basic tools necessary for you to begin your search for these types of errors and varieties. Naturally, you need this book (and/or other authoritative references) that provides detailed information, complete with high-quality photographs. Authoritative reference material will allow you to ascertain whether or not what you have found is a collectible type. Additionally, you will need a good high-quality magnifying glass and a maneuverable light source

CORRECT

This is the proper method to examine coins with a magnifying glass. Notice the distance between the glass and the coin in relation to the eye. Notice the position of the light allowing for maximum reflection off of the coin surface.

INCORRECT

This is the improper method of using a magnifying glass.

Magnifying Glasses

There are thousands of minor varieties of lesser prominence than those listed in this book that may require magnifications of 14-Power (14x) to 20x. These offer profit potential and you will have to decide if you want to invest in the magnifiers required to find them or restrict your search to the big-ticket items. For the record, 5x to 7x magnification is generally accepted as best for grading coins and 10x to14x for attributing a variety. The authors prefer a 5x, 10x, 14x and 20x in addition to a microscope with a range of 10x to 60x. We use 5x to 7x for grading, and 10x for quick scans of coins at coin shows (when time is of the essence and we are restricting our search to the more major varieties). A 10x glass is easier on the eyes and has a wider field of view than the stronger glasses—it will allow you to look at more coins faster. A 14x glass is used for a closer look at a variety that has already been identified, or double checking pieces that we think may show something we missed with a 10x glass. A 14x glass may replace a 10x glass altogether, but it is harder on the eyes, and you will tire more quickly than with a 10x. A 20x glass does the same thing that the 14x does for the 10x, and may be used to confirm that an item is actually a triple mintmark rather than a double mintmark, etc. A 20x has a tiny field of view and is extremely hard on the eyes. If you decide to buy one, it will rarely find use, but there will be times you find it handy.

No, you do not need all these magnifiers to get started, but you will probably want to at least have a 5x for grading (at a cost of about $8) and a 10x Hastings Triplet. A 10x will cost about $19.95 for the economy models made by Anco (the same lens by Bausch & Lomb will cost you about double that figure but is lighter and of far superior construction).

Do not buy one of the standard 16x styles, (these we call “metal monsters”), as these are not of the Hastings Triplet design and carry significant distortion undesirable in searching for varieties. In addition, contrary to the implication that they are of about 16 power, they are actually only about 10x.

Lighting

Any type of lighting will sufficiently assist you with examining your coins, however, you must have the light source close to you and the coin. The goose-neck style lamp that can be fixed to the side of a desk with a clamp is best, due to its stability and maneuverability, but basic desk lamps with soft-white light bulbs are very affordable and more than likely already in your home and will be sufficient to get you started. You may even use a typical living room lamp with a 75-watt light bulb by angling the lamp shade to direct light toward your position. The proper lighting, regardless of the source, will allow you the ability to rotate or angle your coin to capture the light and locate that rare error in your pocket change!

This scale is small, accurate, and can be purchased at Harbor Freight Tools for about $15.

There are like scales available at most retail stores.